Category: The Beat Without

by Michael Mackey Detention has affected my relationship with my family by me not being there!  Watching them grow up, my son is wondering where has his father gone and is acting out because I’m not around to teach him right from wrong.  It’s hard on his mother, Lakisha, raising a child by herself with little support from family and me, the father of her son, Daziri. I didn’t speak to my son or his mother for about seven and a half years because frustration and detention affected her, and I made her angry for many reasons. She tried to forget about

My name is Jensen Ramos and I am currently serving a life sentence for committing a crime as a juvenile. I committed my crime at the age of 17. I was tried, convicted and sentenced to 50 years to life. I have currently been in prison for 12 years now, and till this day I hate it. I still remember the day it happened. On January of 2002 I went to a party with my friends trying to have a good time. One of my friends had an exchange of words with someone and they started fighting. After they fought

by Eddie Herena I knew I’d be alone the moment I stepped on the bus headed for state prison.  I ran with a gang on the street and eventually wound up in County (jail) for a murder I committed.  The thought of spending the rest of my life in prison was overwhelming.  I was twenty-one.  Knowing myself and the loyalty that lies within my being, I was forced to make one of the toughest choices in my young life: to either immerse myself deeper into the gang lifestyle, or walk away.  It wasn’t easy, but I knew that if I chose

by Miguel Quezada Being willing to go alone requires being fearless in the face of the unknown and being courageous in the adversity of the world saying, “you will fail”. My lack of con dence was because I had learned one way of life. That was to be down with my homies and neighborhood. The beliefs I adopted were those things we learn in the neighborhood: loyalty, trust, honor, respect; these values were real and I would have defended them with my life. This belief system was and is powerful and at that time I lacked the courage to break away

by Melvin Jones Made up my mind No matter how much I was abused I was done crying Didn’t matter if it was an extension cord, a belt, a coat hanger, a Hot Wheels race track a fist in the mouth, a kick in my stomach, a slap I wasn’t gonna shed a single tear I was done crying I was done denying That it wasn’t my fault As the blows rained down on me I simply detached… racing For the dark crevices of my mind There I sang and danced to songs That spoke of God rescuing me How this

by Jesus Trujillo This letter is written to anyone who needs or wants a change in life. I hope that my experience can keep you from walking the same path as me. I’m twenty years old serving a fty-years to life sentence, which means I won’t be eligible for parole until I serve fty-years, and even then my parole isn’t promised. I was seventeen years old when I got arrested, and to be honest each year that passes I regret my mistakes more and more. It sucks to spend any birthday in prison but that’s my reality. In a couple

by Rashaan Thomas I could have been Bill Gates. Well, I could have been a half Black and half Puerto Rican CEO of a software company the size of Microsoft or bigger. Bill Gates could have worked for me. Instead, I let hatred turn me into a killer. You see, my mother saw the future was computers. In the early eighties, she enrolled me in basic programming courses while I was still in high school. She also purchased the Commodore 64 computer. I put it to use programming and selling bootleg video games. Then my little brother got shot. It

by JJ Ramirez  If I was to be asked the question, “Are you ready to be released?” My answer would be that of, “Hell yeah!” Reasons being that I have learned so much of myself through my confinement I have fought my inner demons, which lived beneath my skin, and won. “Victorious.” First you must understand I grew up without a father “like so many behind these walls.” But I guess I can say without a mother as well. Mom always at work, so many hours I never really saw her. Used to come around on payday with a bag

by Kenneth Donaghe By now you have probably heard about S.B.260, “The Juvenile Lifers Bill.” This bill gives Juveniles a 2nd chance. I can be one of those Juveniles. I was recently found eligible for Parole after 22 years and four appearances before the Board. Since SB.260 became law, Juvenile Offenders have been paroled after their first appearance. Imagine that! This was unheard of before. Don’t misinterpret what I’m saying. The Parole Board will not just hand you freedom because you served the time. Not at all! You must stay out of trouble and show maturity. It was hard for me

by Darnell McGregge First, I want to say that I take full responsibility for murdering Ms. Washington and wounding Donald Sheppard.  In no way am I attempting to minimize what happened. I feel it’s important I share my story with you so it can help someone not to make the mistake that I made.  Again I take full responsibility for what Id did and I am really sorry! My mother was a single parent, and we lived in the Nickerson Garden Housing Projects in Watts.  I was the last of four children. Even though my mother did the best she could